stickchick

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Everything posted by stickchick

  1. So my brain is about to explode. But i think i narrowed it down to a few machines. Im a total newb but ive been watching a friend for a few weeks and this is something that compliments my husbands boat biz. He uses massive amounts of decals for registration numbers and boat names. So i'm going for it. I think i want a bigger machine, like 53". perhaps thats unreasonable? I just feel like i should go for it up front instead of wishing i had a bigger machine. My friend has a 34" and says buy as big as i can. So i almost purchased the LP3 53" ARMS today. Then i start researching a bit more. Do i need this contour cutting? i'd rather have it and not need it a lot, than not have it and wish i did. I read the laser doesnt work good on the LP3? I suspect my main biz will be boat graphics and maybe signs. I would like to keep it around $1500 to start. I intend to pursue this hard as a real biz. I have a 14x32 office space (she-shed), computers, desk, tables, and anything else i will need can be obtained. I just dont want to skip some option and kick myself for not getting it. So i think i have it narrowed down to these machines: A. 53" Titan 3 w servo motor + ARMS. pressure 750g https://www.uscutter.com/TITAN-3-Vinyl-Cutter-ARMS-28-53-68-inch $1595 & still need consumables. B. LP3 53" ARMS cutter . pressure 350g https://www.uscutter.com/SC-Vinyl-Cutter-Starter-Kit-Contour-Cut (confused, is SC2 and LP3 the same? bc this link is for a SC2 machine, but under upgrade, the option for LP3 is there. Are these same brand or something? And I believe its out of stock in 53" if u go directly to LP3 page, but under this link it allows me to add 53" to my cart) $885 plus consumables C. or skip the ARMS and go for Titan 2. pressure 750g https://www.uscutter.com/TITAN-2-Vinyl-Cutter-28-53-68-inch $1295 and add the sign shop in a box kit for $199 D. or this 53" SC2 https://www.uscutter.com/SC-Vinyl-Cutter-Starter-Kit-Contour-Cut $705.99 plus consumables Warranty, support, etc are also considerations. and what about plugins for Adobe Illustrator (i own)? Please help me decide, my eyes are so tired i cant read anymore... im ready to click buy any time. thanks.
  2. Yeah when I made the purchase it said it was available.
  3. Ridiculous! So frustrated w this company. They have taken my money for a week, and probably at least another week to give it back. So i was told the titan3 53" was backordered til today. No call, no email. I called them to find out titan3 53 wont be available til September! And no one can process my refund til monday! Totally sucks. What a horribly disappointing WASTE of time and energy. Probably wont even buy one now! The titan3 53 is the only machine in my budget that was a good fit. By September i will be moved on to something else or wont have the coin:(
  4. stickchick

    SCAL on Windows?

    i think im buying the Titan 3 53". I really dont like paying so much for software. i know, i know, ts just the way i feel. no lectures please. but im trying to go legit. still not gonna pay $400+ for some generic software though. but i notice the scal pro is included as a software option. and it states in the fine print under requirements, a pc or mac. i dont think i have seen any talk about pc users with scal. It sounds like people really like it though. I was just going to get vm cut, but figure im probably missing something. note, i do have a copy of ai. maybe all i need is ai & vm cut? thx.
  5. stickchick

    SCAL on Windows?

    thats what i want to hear. thanks. i thought so, but wasnt sure.
  6. thats wierd. i thought i sent the link to the medium tape: https://www.jra-signsupplies.com/product-p/st0000.htm
  7. https://www.jra-signsupplies.com/product-p/7186-0000.htm
  8. thats good to know. do you mean something like this? terrible...I used to own a machine that split rolls. i got it from a Boeing surplus sale. i had no use for it at the time and got rid of it. ST0000-0007 Nekoosa Perfectear 575 Application Tape - 48" $134.40
  9. Very disappointing though. Of course the 12th is Friday so that means I won't see it till probably the end of the following week... Yeah I've been wondering about the application tape (masking?). Do I need some kind of dispenser? Is that necessary? I'm sure my husband can build me one easily w a big dowel. And I need my work surface / table. I already downloaded signblazer and VM cut. I plan on buying VM Pro at that discount price of $299. But I can play with the other options first. Already read the Titan manual. There wasn't much to it. But I'll keep it on hand. Anything else you can think of?
  10. I ordered from clean-cut. But now I'm bummed out. Their inventory Checker did not state this when I made my $2,000 purchase!
  11. Too late. I figured the discount wouldn't be all that much anyway. But it's funny they said they've already processed and shipped the order! USCutter says it's still pending review. I hope I get my order this week
  12. how do we apply the clean cut discount for being a forum member?
  13. oh, one more thing. i should get the ones that are roland? edit: nevermind. i answered my own question. they direct me to roland.
  14. awesome. thats what i will get.
  15. im going to order some clean cut blades now. what should i get? im reading about 45* & 60*. but according to the descriptions, i might need 25 & 30 if im cutting large letters in standard vinyl? im thinking a couple of each for now? 25 and 30° are recommended for window tint, thin and stretchy heat press materials, and large lettering (3/4"+) in standard vinyl. 45° The normal all around blade for cutting down to 3/8" letters in vinyl to 10 mi and everyday heat press vinyl. 60° use this blade for harder to cut material (paper, sand blast mask, laminates) and small detailed cutting down to 1/8".
  16. one idea my husband had, you know that stuff they use in commercial kitchens for cutting surfaces? i think it called "hdpe". my husband has access to large sheets. He said he would build me a big sturdy work table and put a sheet of that stuff on top. Is this a good idea? thx for all your help. im sure i will have many more questions:)
  17. well i finally did it... had a big scare though, my card kept declining. some security bull. I will get some more supplies next week. heck, i will probably want the graptec next week!
  18. stickchick

    SCAL on Windows?

    i think i will take it. its over a $100 discount
  19. stickchick

    SCAL on Windows?

    i found how to get vm pro (or xpt, dsr) at a significant discount, but im afraid to say, it might disappear!!!!
  20. stickchick

    SCAL on Windows?

    the vm pro is $416 upgrade. it just hurts too much. would CUT or LTR be sufficient? its an extra $120. I think this is another reason i liked the graphtec, the premium software included.
  21. I guess I just don't understand why everyone seemed so anti big machine. Even if I never cut anything over 24 in, what would it hurt to have the extra 53" capacity? I can still run 24 in rolls, but it gives me options. It's within my budget. I have the space. But I still really like what I'm learning about the graphtec! Its so difficult to decide. I have been a hair away from clicking submit 3 or 4 times now! I will say I've seen the Titan in action, and if I hadn't heard about the graphtec I wouldn't know any better. But the graphtec sure does come with better software too! I own a copy of AI, but honestly it must be three or four years old and I don't even have it installed at the moment. I feel like I'm getting car sick staring at the screen for 5 days straight!
  22. Yes i was sold on the titan3 53" for a bit. But all I hear is graphtec graphtec graphtec and I think it's wearing on me! It definitely seems to be the top of the line.
  23. Yeah we've never done those big boat stickers. But it is definitely a future goal considering that boats are the reason im starting the biz. Right now we've got four or five boats sitting here that we outsourced the decals on. They were all done on a 24-inch in Titan. Just simple names, logos, and registration numbers. I just won't go looking for the big boats until I'm ready to make the jump. I am going to hold off till tomorrow and call the company and talk to a live person.
  24. iteresting... I just hate buying anything used. refurb maybe. but i got burned a couple times over the years and i try to stick w new. and like everyone says, the graphtec will hold value, so i can trade up next month if necessary!
  25. it comes w a heat press